<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, received this Thursday in Madrid the vice president of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Rosario Salvatore Aitala, to whom he reiterated Spain's "firm support" for the court after the decision of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, to impose sanctions against this institution in retaliation for the arrest warrants issued against several senior Israeli officials.</strong></h4> During the meeting, held at the headquarters of the Ministry in Marqués de Salamanca (Madrid), Albares highlighted the "fundamental role" of the ICC in the fight against impunity and in maintaining international peace and security and warned that the court "is more necessary than ever" in the face of the escalation of conflicts in all regions and the unprecedented increase in civilian victims. The minister reaffirmed Spain's commitment to accountability in all situations and to reparation for all victims, "whether in Ukraine, Palestine, Sudan or anywhere else where large-scale atrocities are committed." Albares also regretted any attempt to undermine the ICC's independence, integrity and impartiality and reiterated to the vice president Spain's commitment to guarantee the continuity of the ICC's activities so that it can continue to perform its functions effectively and independently. In this regard, the minister assured that Spain's commitment to the International Criminal Court is also financial. In 2023, according to the Foreign Ministry's press release, Spain's voluntary contributions to the ICC reached six million euros and in 2024 they exceeded two million. <h5><strong>Statement</strong></h5> On February 7, Spain joined the joint declaration signed by almost 80 countries, among which were neither Italy nor Hungary, in defense of the International Criminal Court against Donald Trump's attacks. According to the signatories, the ICC represents “a vital pillar of the international justice system, ensuring accountability for the most serious international crimes and justice for victims.” The statement denounces the adoption of sanctioning measures against the Court, its officials and staff and against those who cooperate with it “in response to the Court’s fulfilment of its mandate under the Rome Statute,” measures that “increase the risk of impunity for the most serious crimes and threaten to erode the international rule of law, which is crucial to promoting global order and security.” “Furthermore, sanctions could jeopardize the confidentiality of sensitive information and the safety of those involved, including victims, witnesses and Court officials, many of whom are our nationals,” the text added. “Sanctions would seriously undermine all situations under investigation, as the Court may have to close its field offices,” it continued. The statement was signed by Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Jordan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Mongolia, Montenegro, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Moldova, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, State of Palestine, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United Kingdom, Uruguay and Vanuatu.
